Hello! My name is Melissa Jasperson, and I am a full-time figure skating coach. I have been coaching for over twenty years, and I truly enjoy the process of developing figure skaters. Skating is a unique sport that combines athleticism, artistry and mental tenacity, and the journey of being a figure skater is exciting, a lot of work and full of surprises.
My background and current career accomplishments include:
Founder & Director of Premier Skating Academy
Skating Director for Great River Figure Skating Club
Double Gold Medalist in Freeskate and Skating Skills
Coached many gold level skating skill and freeskate tests
Coached State, Regional and Sectional medalists
Coached a National and International competitor
B.S. in Psychology and minor in Athletic Coaching from the UW-River Falls
Safesport Certified, CPR and First Aid Certified, Learn to Skate Programming Certificate
US Figure Skating Coach member, C.O.R.E certified
My overreaching mission as a coach is for skaters to realize how powerful of a person that they are through achieving skating goals and through the life lessons, hard work, joy, and dedication it takes to achieve these goals.
Figure skating is an individual sport. It takes a very powerful person to find success and to achieve goals. Skaters need to learn that they are powerful people who can make anything happen for themselves.
To follow through with this mission, I enjoy working with athletes who are dedicated to figure skating, enjoy learning, are intrinsically motivated, are results-orientated and who are committed to the development process for long term, sustainable results!
Skaters who work with me, honor and respect my coaching philosophies, are tenacious/gritty and have a lot of drive! Through all of this, we are developing the athlete physically, mentally and emotionally so that they can become the best version of themselves on and off the ice!
I fully support skaters in being ambitious and making big dream for themselves. It is a fun, tough and exciting journey. There are philosophies I abide by to ensure skaters have the best chance at a successful future:
Holistic Development
We are always focusing on development! Skaters become great through many years of hard work with layers of quality development being added in as the skaters is physically and mentally ready for them. By developing correctly and learning good technique, skaters have the tools they need to achieve their goals.
Becoming a successful figure skaters requires the whole skater as a person to be strong. Just skating a lot is not enough to become the skater you want to be. Skaters must also be physically fit, nutritionally well-balanced, in a good place with their school, family and friend relationships as well as being mentally strong and fit. When these components are in place along with the all of the proper skating development techniques, that is when skaters meet and often times exceed their own goals and expectations.
A System & A Plan
There is always a plan! I coach all the time with a plan and a purpose for that skater. We use our planning to work hard, make smart decisions for the skater and to move forward with skating. Families and skaters also agree on any plans so we all are working together as a team and in a productive manner.
Motivation, Challenges and Hard Work on the Right Things
We skate with a purpose and with excitement. Skaters have a desire, motivation and “fire in their hearts.” Athletes should always work hard, but they need to be focused on working hard at the right things and knowing where to put their energy. My skaters love a good challenge and love to focus their energy on the path that enables them to conquer that challenge.
Joy and a Positive Attitude
Skaters should love to skate and should find joy in the process and the small things that happen on the ice everyday. This is the best way to stay motivated and to keep the fire within each athlete alive. Things will get hard and finding the silver lining will always get you through.
Overcoming Obstacles & Complacency
Sometimes things become tough or boring. We find it within ourselves to bounce back and to work harder. We do not let obstacles get in our way~ we use it as a learning opportunity.
Love to Learn
You will never stop learning in figure skating! There is so much to learn which is what makes it fun! There are always other avenues and experiences outside of skating that we learn from that help us become better skaters. Skaters should be open minded to learn new information.
Respect & Discipline
There is so much respect that goes into successful athletes! Respect has to be second nature for all skaters, parents and coaches involved so that the athlete can achieve their goals. Skaters, coaches and the parents all end up utilizing a lot of discipline throughout the skating journey.